Jindal Pelletizing LLC (JPL), a subsidiary of Jindal Steel Oman, has placed a purchase order for an initial 500-ton trial shipment of processed manganese ore from Kenya, marking a first step toward sourcing manganese for its operations in Oman.
The material will be supplied by Muchai Mining Kenya Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Marula Mining PLC. The shipment will originate from Marula’s Kilifi Manganese Processing Plant in Kilifi County, with dispatch scheduled from the Mombasa port to the Port of Sohar following the start of processing.
The trial shipment is intended to assess material quality and logistics ahead of potential further volumes. Jindal said the consignment forms part of its efforts to diversify raw material sourcing for its Oman-based operations.
In addition, representatives from Jindal are expected to carry out site due diligence at the Tshipi Manganese Mine in South Africa, linked to Marula’s proposed manganese asset acquisitions, which could further strengthen cooperation between the two groups.
Currently in the final stages of development, Jindal Pelletizing LLC (also known as the Vulcan Pelletizing Plant) is a subsidiary of Jindal Steel Oman (formerly Jindal Shadeed Iron & Steel), in Sohar with a capacity of 6 mln tons per annum of high-grade iron ore pellets.
